DCI Reveals How It Reduced Backlog For Police Clearance Certificates By 244,000

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has announced that it has managed to process 244,222 pending applications for Police Clearance Certificates, reducing the backlog that stretched to more than 600,000 in April 2023.

In a statement on Saturday, November 11, DCI revealed that the backlog issue was caused by downtimes affecting its Automated Palm and Fingerprint Identification System (APFIS) which can process up to 4,000 applications every day.

"The Directorate of Criminal Investigations wishes to inform members of the public that we are currently having a huge backlog of Police Clearance Certificate applications stretching back to April this year as a result of APFIS system downtime," revealed DCI.

"The breakdown issue was resolved in September 2023 leaving a backlog of over 600,000 police clearance applications against daily applications ranging between 13,000 and 15,000."

The investigative agency revealed the necessary steps it took to reduce the backlog of applications and details regarding the urgent processing of clearance certificates.

The Principal Criminal Registrar took pragmatic steps to deal with the backlog which includes incorporating both automated and manual processing of the applications.

Further, the Forensic Fingerprint Identification Bureau (FFIB) officers were revealed to be working round the clock, including on Saturdays and Sundays to increase the throughput.

"At present, we are processing the clearance certificates on a first-in-first-out basis with special consideration to needy cases like overseas medical treatment, scholarships and booked flights.

"To ensure such needy cases and all delayed cases are promptly addressed, our officers at the DCI headquarters and Huduma Centres (DCI Desks) countrywide are sorting out and separately packaging such requests before submitting them for urgent processing," added the DCI.

Following this, the agency managed to reduce the pile-up from 635,000 to 390,778 applications as of Friday,  November 10.

"We regret the inconvenience caused to the applicants and appeal for calm and patience as the Principal Criminal Registrar bids to clear the remaining backlog soonest possible, thereby realizing a two-week wait time by February 2024," added DCI.

The DCI pledged its commitment to continue executing its mandate effectively and expeditiously in a responsive and accountable manner.

In September 2023, the DCI attributed the delay in processing police clearance certificates to system updates.

“The processing of Police Clearance Certificates at DCI Headquarters has been fully restored after a duration of system upgrade,” the DCI said in a statement.

With the upgraded system applicants will no longer need to book fingerprinting dates on the e-citizen system. Applicants will instead select their preferred fingerprinting centres based on the convenience and place they are in.

For months Kenyans raised concerns over the long time it takes to get a police clearance certificate, with some applicants being forced to wait for the documents for up to seven months.

Police clearance certificates are crucial for many who for instance need jobs and want to travel to some countries.